Political Option in Mr Jess Perry

Political Option heads the Mr Jess Perry at Louisiana Downs.

Q-Racing JournalFebruary 28, 2013

Carlos Lozano’s Political Option comes off a close second-place finish in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Derby (RG3) in the $35,000 Mr Jess Perry Stakes for Louisiana-bred over 350 yards at Louisiana Downs on Saturday afternoon.

Political Option (Jess Louisiana Blue-In His Dreams by Apollo (TB)) nearly pulled off a 9-1 upset in the Louisiana Champions Day Derby when he finished just a neck behind Rocky Mountain Fly for trainer Kenneth Roberts. He also nearly won two starts ago when he was third, beaten by a head in a $20,000 optional-claiming race at Evangeline Downs.

At 2, Political Option was second in the $200,000 LQHBA Futurity (RG1) and third in the $277,000 LQHBA Sale Futurity (RG1), beaten by a neck or less in each race. Last summer at Ruidoso Downs, the gelding was third in his All American Derby (G1) trial as the 5-2 favorite.

Brandon Haywood’s Haystretcher (Heza Fast Dash-Sayin Together by Sayin Adios) may be ready for his first stakes win after two wins in his latest three starts against allowance company. In his most recent race, he prevailed by a neck at 350 yards over the Louisiana Downs strip. The winner of 11 of 34 career starts was third in the Don Cravin Stakes back in October.

Felipe Amaro’s A Solid Dash (Dashin Bye-A Solid Score by Rare Bar) makes the jump to stakes action after three wins and a second in his latest four starts. He started his streak with a win at the $6,250 claiming level and was second by a half length in his most recent start.